Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn

Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn is an addicting, and crunchy gluten-free snack.

Raise your hand if it’s unseasonably cold where you live and all you want to do tonight is convince your spouse/significant other/best friend/dog/cat/goldfish (I suppose those labels could potentially overlap,) that it’s a good idea to light a fire then curl up on the couch with a blanket, movie, bottle of Cabernet and stuff your face with Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn?

So glad we’re on the same page.

We went from hottest week of the summer two weeks ago to near record low temps this week. We’re talking highs in the 50s people. The 50s! I submitted and celebrated by ordering my first hot latte in months then tested a recipe idea that’s been burning a hole in my Evernote’s “to make” list for over a year. Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn is all-fall and FABULOUS!

One of my favorite things about food is that it can conjur up so many memories with one taste. I am transported to my Grandparent’s retro kitchen in Ohio every time I make my Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup, and nothing takes me back to summertime as a kid quite like my Mom’s classic Dirt Cake.

Popcorn is another food that holds a lot of memories for me. Whether it was my parents making batch after batch for family movie night when my brothers and I would crowd the living room floor in our sleeping bags when we were little, to the big yellow bowl drenched in melted butter my best friend’s Mom (Hi Becky!) made us girls when we’d come over for our super-cool Saturday nights in playing Mario Cart and watching Alex Mack in high school – the crunchy stuff’s definitely got a big place in my heart.

But this version, you guys. This version. Ho-ly smokes – it is next level!

Air or stove popped popcorn is tossed with fresh chopped sage that’s been crisped in brown butter, then finished with a flourish of salt. I seriously could not stop eating this popcorn. At one point after the second “I’m officially done” washing of the hands, I found myself leaning over the bowl, snagging pieces with my tongue like a lizard.

#rockbottom

If I didn’t make this popcorn myself I’d question why it’s so addicting. Like, is someone trying to pull a fast one on me? I know of course that it’s the brown butter, which is simply melted butter that’s cooked for a minute until it turns golden brown, that made me go back for bite after bite, amplified by crispy sage that might actually be my favorite part. In my mind sage is synonymous with Thanksgiving, and thus fall, making this popcorn a perfectly timely treat.

In response to how delicious this popcorn recipe is, and the fact that Awkward returns on September 23 – YOU’RE WELCOME.

Start by popping 1/2 cup popcorn kernels. You can use an air popper (this is the one my Mom used to make our movie-night popcorn. I had to borrow it because my air popper mysteriously disappeared last week. Seriously, WHERE IS MY AIR POPPER?? I am so disturbed.)

Or, if you don’t have an air popper, you can make popcorn right on the stove in a big pot or Dutch Oven (or in a paper bag, but that’s for another post.) I used a 4 quart Dutch Oven with a 9″ diameter. Use something similar in size and you’ll be just fine!

Start by adding 3 Tablespoons oil to the pot then add a few popcorn kernels to the bottom, turn the heat to medium, and then place a lid on top. If your pot is wider than 9″ you may want to add an additional Tablespoon oil. The kernels shouldn’t be swimming in oil, but they should have a nice cushion.

I tested this recipe using three different oils. Here’s the scoop:

Grapeseed Oil

I use grapeseed oil for my “vegetable oil” needs over canola or vegetable oil (here’s why.) Grapeseed oil is nearly flavorless and I couldn’t detect any added flavor in the popped popcorn.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I tested popping the popcorn in extra virgin olive oil because it’s one of the most common oils people have in their pantry. It worked great though there was a faint EVOO flavor in the final popcorn. Not bad by any means (I think EVOO is delicious!) but just FYI.

Unrefined Coconut Oil

Unrefined coconut oil smells “coconutty” vs refined coconut oil which is unrefined coconut oil that’s been further processed and doesn’t have that tropical smell. This oil also worked perfectly though there was a faint coconut flavor in the popped popcorn. I actually thought it added a little something to the brown butter and crispy sage flavor, and it would be fantastic if you were making a sweet-flavored popcorn. I’m assuming refined coconut oil would not be detectable.

My little brother (who just moved home from Denver – whoop!!) was over when I was recipe testing and LOVED the coconut flavor! (Pay no attention to the toy barf in the background.)

Anywho! After heating the oil of your choice with a few popcorn kernels, wait for one of them to pop then add 1/2 cup kernels to the pot. Shake the pot over the burner to make sure every kernel is coated in oil then continue shaking/moving every so often to prevent burning.

After a few minutes you should start to see something happen! (Press play, yo.)

Keep moving and shaking the pot every 15-20 seconds until the popping slows down then remove the pot from the heat and keep the lid on until the popping stops. Voila – stove top popcorn! Pour the popcorn into a large bowl then set your sights on that brown butter and crispy sage. Oh yeah.

I’ve probably told you a hundred times that we have a beast forest of sage growing in our backyard. People always ask me what to do to keep it growing. (Wait for it) news flash: absolutely nothing! I have not touched it once this summer and it just keeps growing like a weed. In fact, I’m sure before people started cooking with sage it was considered a weed. This stuff cannot be stopped and comes back year after year. Love it!

You’ll need a heaping 1/4 cup chopped sage for the topping, which is 10-12 large sage leaves. Sage is so beautiful. Nature’s velvet.

Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat then, when it begins to foam, add the sage and swirl the skillet until the butter turns golden brown, 1-2 minutes.

Pour the brown butter and crispy sage over the popped popcorn then toss with a spatula to coat each piece.

Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn

Description

Brown Butter and Crispy Sage Popcorn is addicting on all levels. Plus learn how to make popcorn on the stove!

Ingredients

makes 10 cups popcorn

3-4 Tablespoons grapeseed, extra virgin olive, or coconut oil (only if popping on the stove vs using an air popper)

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

3 Tablespoons salted butter

heaping 1/4 cup chopped sage (10-12 large sage leaves)

salt

Directions

If using an air popper: Pop kernels into a large bowl.

If popping on the stove: Heat 3 Tablespoons oil in a large pot (I used a 4 quart, 9″ Dutch Oven) over medium heat. If your pot is wider add an additional Tablespoon oil to prevent burning. The kernels shouldn’t be swimming in oil, but they should have a comfortable cushion of oil.

Add a few popcorn kernels to the oil then place a lid on top and wait for a kernel to pop. Add remaining kernels then place lid back on top and shake/slide pot over the burner every so often to prevent burning. Continue shaking/sliding every so often until popping slows then remove from heat and let remaining kernels pop. Pour popcorn into a large bowl.

NOTE: Grapeseed oil is a nearly flavorless oil and cannot be detected in the popped corn. You can just slightly taste the olive oil and can taste a hint of coconut if using unrefined coconut oil. The coconut flavor should be undetectable if you’re using refined coconut oil.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. When butter starts to foam add chopped sage leaves then swirl the skillet until butter turns golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Drizzle over popcorn then toss with a spatula to evenly coat. Season with salt to taste then serve.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Honest to goodness top 5 most addicting snacks ever. Movie night, snack time, any time – make this popcorn pronto!

Perfect! I just so happen to have some sage growing among the weeds in my back yard. It’s 32 degrees in Denver right now. 32! This excitement is only temporary because let’s face it nobody wants to freeze the whole year long.

I LOVE popcorn in a serious way. Popcorn brings back lots of wonderful memories over at my friends house where her Dad made seriously the best popcorn ever! I’m thinking I need to give your recipe a try this weekend. Totally on the same page as you this weekend with curling up on the couch for a movie with the Husband and pup, brr Iowa!

Great popcorn idea. I had NO idea about how canola oil was made and (I guess mistakenly) thought it was a fairly healthy oil to use as it has a high temp smoking point so I use it in high heat situations and for backing. Grapeseed oil seems to be more expensive and not available in larger quantities. What vegetable oil do you use for frying and baking and can you find that oil in larger quantities?

Looks amazing! Thanks for the fun idea. I haven’t tried Grapeseed oil yet, but I also hesitate to use Canola or Vegetable oil. Does anyone know if you can use Grapeseed oil as a substitute when baking? That’s the only reason I keep the “bad” oils in my pantry.

Love the idea of using coconut oil to pop the popcorn, so I tried it last night and made kettle corn. The taste was out of this world and the aroma was just amazing, especially when combined with the brown butter. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Love that you watch Awkward!! That is one of my biggest crap shows to watch. I am a mom of 2 and my husband always asks why I watch that show and I have no response for him. It’s just awesome high school drama. Anyways, I love that you watch them too. Makes me feel like I’m not the only person out of their teens who watches it. The popcorn looks really good too!

Hand is raised. Husband and dog are on the couch with me. Fireplace is rolling. Bottle of Malbec is within an arm’s length. Friday Night Lights in on NetFlix and pizza is on the way. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll swap the pizza for this popcorn!

I wish it was cold here! It was 90 degrees today where I live in OREGON! We had a big grass fire the other day because of all the heat and wind. For being a state known for their rain, we sure haven’t had much of it lately!

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hi, i’m kristin!

I'm a Midwestern wife and Mama of two little boys and a baby girl. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013, Iowa Girl Eats is a place I share delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Visit my Recipe Index for inspiration!MORE ABOUT ME

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